BTA General Membership Meeting

1
BTA General Membership Meeting

• January 26, 2008

2
Purpose of Meeting

• Vote on BTA Bylaws
• Introduction of New BTA Officers
• Negotiations
• Health Care Options
• Political Action
• What do you want to see us accomplish as an
  organization?

3
New BTA Officers

• Trina Brown, BTA President
• Adam May, 1st Vice President
• Jennifer Wohlmuth, 2nd Vice President
• Macy Swope- Secretary
• Ian Young- Treasurer

4
Introduction of Reps from each site

• Elementary
• High School
• Alternative Ed
• Grievance Chair- Tim Chou
• Community Outreach- Bree Sadler
• Membership- Delia Sandoval
• Webmaster- Laura Sturman

5
Vote on Adoption of BTA Bylaws

• Changes- We have taken election procedures out of
  bylaws and put them in BTA Standing Rules
• This includes recall procedures
• Bylaws can be amended by 2/3 vote of REP
  council, not general membership.

6
Health Care Survey Results

• Thank you, great ideas and great feedback
• Tiered vs. Composite
• Same money, cost district same amount,
  distributed differently and based on composition
  of members from prior year
• Composite rate for last year would have been less
  than cap for Blue Cross HMO
• Levels playing field, benefit cost is same no
  matter what plan you are in.

7
Benefits

• Blue Cross HMO
• Need for better communication of what benefits
  you actually have
• Psychological- 20 visits/ year or more if needed
• Chiropractic- 40 visits/ year
• Dental/ Vision
• Medical
• Wellness Program/ Healthyroads.com/ 150/year

8
High Desert Trust

• We are pooled with several other districts in the
  area. Currently pooled with 18K other members.
• Local control and education about insurance
  issues.
• Were with REEP 3 years ago, coverage is not as
  good, lots of kickbacks to district in the form
  of rebates. Members never saw the rebate money
  at this District. Went back into general fund.

9
High Desert Trust

• Renewal rate
• 1 for HMO
• 2 for PPO
• Average renewal rate this year 11 (in open
  market)
• May be adopting Kaiser this year- reduce rates

10
Some good ideas from Health Care Survey

• Look at San Bernardino
• Tiered system, district pays for lowest cost HMO
  with no cap
• Look at Palm Springs
• 12,500 cap
• Utilize HS accounts for PPO providers
• Savings of 100K to district

11
Health Savings Accounts

• Primarily for PPO
• Higher deductible
• Cost savings to district
• Spend that money elsewhere on benefit package
• Money put aside to pay deductible, collects
  interest
• High Desert Trust will be offering these this
  year
• Good option for healthy people
• More Training to come (82 would like to learn
  more)

12
Tiered vs. Composite

• Tiered- one-party, two-party, family
• Current structure
• Composite rate
• Based on composition of group- one flat rate
• May want to keep our composition balanced
• If members have coverage elsewhere, encouraged to
  take it.
• A lot of district use this
• Same pool of money, just distributed differently

13
Opt Outs

• 38 didnt know we had an opt out option if
  member has insurance elsewhere
• 24 of respondents are insured elsewhere
• Question
• Shouldnt all money from opt-outs go into pool.
• Yes
• Thats what were shooting for, it was half-way
  point.

14
Cost Containment

• Emergency room copay increase
• To prevent members from using it as an Urgent
  Care
• Mail order prescriptions
• Save a ton, not the only option
• Generic vs. Brand Name
• Even though copay is not hugely different, cost
  of medication is- increases rates
• Increase copays
• Think twice about going to doctor for a cold
• Nurse Help line- helps..

15
Cost Insulation

• Not knowing what your medical care costs and how
  prices are affected.
• Many people without insurance utilize the ER as
  their Primary Care Physician
• Hospitals lose money on this
• Pass the cost on to consumer plans (employers who
  provide insurance)
• Unnecessary tests.

16
Best Doctors

• If you are diagnosed with something serious, and
  want a second opinion, Best Doctors is available
  to you at NO COST.
• Benefit of High Desert Trust
• www.bestdoctors.com
• Ongoing condition cant find answers, CALL.

17
Wellness perks of High Desert Trust

• Weight Watchers program
• 13 vouchers for 10 week program were distributed
  to members by lottery from members that filled
  out a survey
• Healthy Lifestyle Rewards
• By checking into website once a week
• 50.00 every 12 weeks, total of 150.00 /year

18
Wellness programs members want

• Weight loss
• Exercise
• Creative incentives
• Utilizing district facilities as part of employee
  compensation
• Weight room, pool

19
Survey Results

• Collective bargaining is about protecting the
  interests of the majority. Those who could end up
  paying the most out-of-pocket costs are those who
  can least afford it newer teachers with
  families. As our teaching staff ages, can we
  really afford to make new teachers unable to
  afford working here?

20
Comments

• If we are currently in a situation where there
  are more families and could switch to a composite
  so that the district absorbs some of the cost
  then I think it would be a good system for us.
• Which is less expensive - 3-tier or composite? I
  think we should go with the less expensive.

21
Comments

• I don' t think that single people should pay less
  because as life changes, insurance needs change.
  Sometimes they are families, then 2 parties, and
  single. It all averages out over a lifetime.
• I dislike being charged additional out of pocket
  expenses when I was told one price when the
  decision for coverage was made. I would prefer to
  know up front what it will cost me so I can make
  an educated decision and budget accordingly.

22
Comments

• You should pay for the coverage you're receiving.
  If it costs everyone the same then people will
  always sign up their whole family, even if
  they're already covered through a spouse's
  insurance.
• I like the composite rate because I have noticed
  that a lot of the people who are single are also
  getting older and they use the doctor much more
  than a whole family who is very healthy and
  rarely ever uses the doctor. Sometimes families
  cost more, but other times single aging people
  cost more. The purpose of insurance is to make
  health care more affordable for everyone at the
  work place.

23
Survey Results

• Majority have Blue Shield HMO
• Half think pool is a good idea, needs to be
  restructured
• Only those that go over district contribution
  should have to pay-49
• Exclude single members for paying out of pocket
  on overages-37

24
Do whats sound, and not whats popular

• Comment from a member
• Is exactly what we are going to do.
• Use feedback to guide the decision making process
• Ultimately, we will do what is best for the whole
  unit.

25
Budget Cuts

• Everything has a price tag (including people).
• Our job is to figure out where to make the cuts
  while preserving the integrity of our contract
  and preserving jobs.
• It will be hard to do both- but where are we
  going to bend?

26
6.4 million dollar gap

• Where can we save money?
• Class size reduction- K and 3- 34 kids in a class
• 813,000 dollars
• Loss of 25 teaching positions
• So far have not discussed modified class size
  reduction (25 kids in a class vs. 34)

27
Class Size Reduction

• Governors proposal, districts will still be
  funded for CSR if they offered it this school
  year, but ARE NOT REQUIRED to offer it next year,
  and WILL STILL RECEIVE THE MONEY.
• If this goes through, Cost Savings will be
  greater than 813K.

28
Work Furlough

• Governor has taken 5 days of funding from
  district, left it up to them to figure out how to
  manage it.
• Savings cost of one day of furlough
• Administration- 21,461
• Confidential 3,775
• Certificated 148, 081
• Classified 41, 029

29
Pros and Cons of Furlough

• Pros
• More time off
• Everyone will be affected equally
• Everyone will realize a reduction in salary
• Cons
• More time off without pay- salary reduction
• Affects retirement- days of service
• Has to be agreed upon by CSEA as well.

30
Step and Column Freeze

• Cost savings for Step Freeze 800K
• Cost Savings for Column Freeze 150K
• Pros
• Could save jobs
• Cons
• Its a salary reduction
• May not save jobs
• Board can act unilaterally to impose CSR without
  bargaining, positions may disappear despite our
  efforts
• Affects retirement (based on salary last 3 years)
• Will not affect members on last step, last column

31
Pay Cuts Across the Board

• Cost Savings
• The cost of a 1 for BTA is 276,229.
• The cost of a 2 for BTA is 552,458.
• The cost of a 3 for BTA is 828,687.
• The cost of a 4 for BTA is 1,104,916.
• And of course, the more of a cut you take, the
  greater the savings.

32
Pros and Cons to Pay Cut

• Pros
• Equitable across all groups (BTA, CSEA,
  Management) in terms of
• Maybe, some teacher positions would be spared
• (remember, Board can still unilaterally implement
  CSR)
• Cons
• Its a take back
• It directly impacts retirement
• It takes a long time to recoup
• Teachers may lose jobs anyway

33
Why not make a proposal now?

• Why not look at numbers and agree to cuts so
  everyone can breathe easy and know theyll have a
  job next year?
• Its like paying full price for a car without
  doing your research. Being on a five year loan
  with 23 interest. Its a bad idea.

34
Why is it a bad idea?

• If we settle and make accommodations now, doesnt
  leave room for accommodations later.
• Giving up the game plan too soon, all your moves
  are obvious and predictable.
• Our deal affects surrounding districts deals
• All groups need to give, if we give too soon,
  limits our power to ask them to stretch.
• 25 Admin positions at DO in 2004
• 54 Admin positions at DO in 2009
• District has doubled in size, but.. Does that
  call for double administrative needs?

35
Purpose of Negotiations Survey

• It will be used as a guide
• Sensible decisions will be made that benefit the
  entire group.
• A 7 pay cut would be take a long time to recoup
  and would severely impact people close to
  retirement.
• May not save jobs. The only control we have over
  whether or not CSR is implemented is talking to
  our Board Members- it is ultimately up to them.

36
SERP

• Supplemental Early Retirement Plan
• If you are thinking about it and deal is good
  enough, may be an option
• We need 9 Certificated people to participate
• Self-interest- has to be a good deal and work for
  your life plan
• Could save positions for teachers just starting
  out.
• 50 salary over 5 years w/two party benefits
• 70 salary over 5 years w/ no benefits.

37
Fund 17

• 1.8 million dollars
• Allocated to GASB (gap insurance for retirees)
• Does not need to be funded NOW
• Board did vote on irrevocable trust on Jan 27th
• Money cannot be used for any other purpose.
• I have asked the board to consider using this
  money to offset our 6 million dollar deficit.
  Trust has been formed, but amount to be funded is
  still up for grabs I believe..
• It is one time money, but the 1.8 would cover the
  cost of CSR for two years, and by that time, we
  may see a turn around in the economy.

38
Political Action

• Call Paul!
• State legislatures
• Paul Cook-
• Capitol AddressState Capitol, Room
  5164,Sacramento, CA 94249-0065Phone
  916-319-2065
• District Address34932 Yucaipa BoulevardYucaipa,
  CA 92399Phone [phone]

39
School Site Council

• Have good reps on this council
• A lot of money is being funneled through sites
• Pay attention!
• Will be having a training with CTA in March at
  one of our district sites. Will keep you posted.

40
Call John

• John Benoit
• District Address73-710 Fred Waring Drive, Suite
  108Palm Desert, CA 92260-2510Phone
  760-568-0408
• District Address13800 Heacock Street, Suite
  C112Moreno Valley, CA 92553Phone [phone]

41
Our Senators..

• Senator Barbara Boxer
• Senator Dianne Feinstein
• Representative Jerry Lewis
• http//www.votesmart.org/- for all contact info.

42
Now its your turn ?

• What are you thoughts?
• Ground rules
• 3 minutes a person
• Be respectful
• Dont kill the messenger..
• Wait to be recognized before commenting
• Please use microphone so everyone can hear your
  thoughts.

43
Ideas generated at meeting

• What would cost be- for 25
• Remediation- increased cost to remediate skills
  later.
• of funded COLA- tied to salary schedule
• Pros and cons

44
Upcoming Events

• Special Board Meeting to discuss budget
• Open forum for public
• Monday, February 2nd _at_ 6 pm _at_ Mountain View
  Middle School MPR
• Tuesday, February 3rd _at_ 6 pm _at_ Mountain View
  Middle School MPR
• Teachers, come and share your thoughts with Board
  Members
• Encourage parents of your students to come as
  well.
• This is your chance to have a voice in what cuts
  are acceptable and which ones are not.
• Your voice counts!

45
Upcoming Events

• RIF Meeting with CTA- we will be scheduling that
  soon and you will know the date prior to notices
  going out on March 13. (Meeting will be held
  after March 13).
• To discuss the RIF Hearings process
• Your rights as a teacher
• You will have 39 months to get your job back

46
School Site Council Meeting

• A meeting with CTA to educate members about roles
  and responsibilities of SSC.
• Will also be scheduled sometime in March
• Important because many decisions are made and a
  lot of money is now present and handled at the
  site level.
• Important to be aware of SSC plan and important
  that ALL reps (parent, teachers, admin) are
  trained on how to use this venue appropriately.